a few days ago many cows in south india states were painted yellow using a combination of turmeric powder and water. in some villages, these cows along with other animals, were sent leaping through large blazing flames as a symbol of the process of purification. the festival itself is called sankranthi and is in honor of the cows role in harvesting crops. why they are sent through flames exactly i'm not sure, but i'm happy my "purification process" doesnt require me to do that!